Stormi Steele is an American entrepreneur, haircare expert, and social media influencer best known for founding Canvas Beauty Brand, a popular line of haircare products. Steele’s story is one of inspiration, as she transformed her passion for haircare into a multi-million-dollar business. As of 2024, Stormi Steele’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to the success of her haircare brand, strategic business moves, and her powerful presence on social media. Early Life And Career Beginnings Stormi Steele was born and raised in a small town in Mississipp i, where she developed an interest in haircare at a young age. She started experimenting with different haircare techniques and products in her early years, driven by her own hair struggles and a desire to help others achieve healthy hair. Her passion led her to attend cosmetology school, where she gained formal training and honed her skills in hairstyling and hair health. Initially,...

Simon Guobadia is a successful entrepreneur, film producer, and philanthropist who gained widespread recognition in recent years, partly due to his appearances on the reality TV show “ The Real Housewives of Atlanta ” and his high-profile relationship with Porsha Williams . As of 2024, Simon Guobadia’s net worth is estimated to be around $40 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his various business ventures, investments, and production projects, showcasing his savvy as a businessman and investor. Early Life And Career Beginnings Simon Iyore Guobadia was born in Nigeria and later moved to the United States to pursue his education and career. He attended the University of the District of Columbia, where he studied accounting, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in finance and entrepreneurship. Simon began his professional career in corporate America, working as a tax manager at various firms, which provided him with a strong understanding of business operations...

Frankie Beverly was an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead singer and founder of the iconic group Maze. With a career spanning over five decades, Beverly became a legend in the world of soul, R&B, and funk music. His smooth voice, timeless songs, and captivating performances earned him a dedicated fan base and substantial financial success. As of 2024, Frankie Beverly’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. Early Life And Career Beginnings Beverly was born Howard Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began singing in his local church choir as a child, which helped develop his vocal skills and love for music. During his teenage years, Beverly formed a doo-wop group called The Blenders and later joined a band named The Butlers, which enjoyed moderate success in the Philadelphia music scene. His early experiences laid the groundwork for his career and helped him refine his distinctive style. Formation Of Maze And Rise To...

Arsenio Hall is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host who gained national prominence through “The Arsenio Hall Show” in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His groundbreaking late-night show brought a fresh and diverse voice to the talk show format, which helped establish him as a household name. As of 2024, Arsenio Hall’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, a testament to his enduring success in the entertainment industry. Early Life And Career Beginnings Arsenio Hall was born on February 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio . From an early age, he displayed a love for entertainment and performing, which eventually led him to pursue a career in comedy. Hall began his career performing stand-up comedy at various clubs, gaining experience and developing his unique comedic style. His early appearances on shows like “Soul Train” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” helped him make a name for himself in the comedy world. Rise To Fame: The Arsenio Hall Show Arsenio...

As we step into 2025, high-end property investments continue to be a lucrative avenue for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and secure stable, long-term returns. The luxury real estate market is known for its resilience, even in the face of economic volatility. Here’s a guide to help you navigate high-end property investments in 2024, focusing on trends, strategies, and key considerations. High-End Property Investment Trends In 2024 Sustainable Luxury In 2024, sustainability is a top priority in luxury real estate. High-end properties that incorporate eco-friendly features, such as solar panels, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable building materials, are in high demand. These properties appeal to environmentally conscious buyers and are often located in eco-friendly communities. Smart Home Technology The integration of advanced technology into homes continues to grow. In fact, there’s been a 25% increase in smart home integrations in 2024, which sheds light on...

If duality had an avatar, it would be NBA champion Jaylen Brown. From his passion for STEM to launching a nonprofit aimed at addressing the Black wealth gap, Brown has consistently proven that no box is big enough to hold him. If winning the 2024 NBA championship and Finals MVP wasn’t enough, the 27-year-old has added another accomplishment to his resume by launching his debut performance brand, 741. Brown’s connection to the number 741 runs deep, with each digit carrying personal and spiritual significance, driven by his affinity for numbers and frequencies. The numbers 7, 4, and 1 have shown up throughout his journey, symbolizing spiritual growth, hustle, creativity, and fresh starts, according to the brand’s official website. For Brown, these numbers align with his leap of faith to break away from the industry mold and do things on his terms. “741 is more than just a sneaker brand,” Brown said via a press release . “It’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.”...

Thanks to a number of innovations in the world of business, the global workforce is seeing a massive uptick in freelancing, gig economy gains , and other small business ventures. If you’re feeling the entrepreneurial spirit, there’s never been a better time to go into business for yourself. Still, one of the hardest parts of launching your business is coming up with ideas on what to sell, what services to offer, and where to market yourself. Here’s a brief but comprehensive list of small business ideas to get you started. Maybe you’ll glance over this list and have a major eureka moment, or maybe these ideas will spark your creative drive and assist you in developing something brand new. Either way, these options are teeming with possibility. Graphic Designer If you’re interested in launching your own small business, and you have a passion for art, why not try your hand at graphic design ? There are tons of outlets available for artistic people to work directly with individual...

“There are two types of personalities when it comes to self-marketing. There are the Master Ps in business, who will market his products to absolute strangers at every single moment of his day. Then there’s the other 75% of people who have glossophobia , fear of public speaking. You may be in the latter group. You were never the artist in the ‘80s and ‘90s who would have a box of CDs or cassette tapes in your car, ready to have a mobile distribution destination in every parking lot nearby. The idea of walking up to someone with a postcard, a brochure or a clipboard is out of the question. You might be OK putting marketing material on people’s windshields, but you’d rather drink a jug of beet juice instead of encouraging people to come to your vendor booth. You know you need to sell a product. Likewise, you know the only way for someone to find out about your product is to actually search for that target demographic and share your pitch. But fear of rejection will make you avoid eye...

Sometimes you have to lose to win. Entrepreneur Shorne Benjamin became the chef of a popular restaurant as a result of this. Cuisine Noir reports Benjamin once had a job on Wall Street working as a stockbrocker after he obtained a degree from Mercy College in New York. The career path was in alignment with his family’s backgrounds in finance and accounting. “When you get the opportunity to come to the U.S., you recognize that sacrifices were made,” he told the outlet. “That was on my mind and set the tone for me to try to be successful. I wanted to make them proud and not make them feel disappointed.” However, he lost his job in 2008 during the economic crash, and the standstill allowed him to pivot his attention towards his love for cooking, which began in St. Lucia with his grandmother Ma Benji’s comfort foods when he was just 8 years old. He made the decision to enroll in the International Culinary Center, which was named French Culinary Institute of New York at the time, and...

A popular chicken spot loved by Oprah Winfrey is spreading its wings. Ezell’s Famous Chicken, a Seattle, WA-based chain co-founded by Lewis Rudd in 1984 is preparing to bring the business to Kirkland, WA. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Rudd opened the restaurant with his sister, Faye Rudd, and a high school friend Ezell Stephens, according to Oregon Live. Then in 1989, it scored two visits from Oprah Winfrey. The media mogul was impressed with the menu, featuring Louisiana-style fried chicken made fresh daily in pure vegetable oil, baked rolls, barbecue beans, and mac and cheese. She even hired Ezell’s Famous Chicken to cater her 36th birthday celebration in Chicago, IL. The exposure from Winfrey led to an increase in customers for Ezell’s Famous Chicken. “We had people literally driving from Longview, Washington, to get chicken,” Rudd said, according to Oregon Live. “We couldn’t keep up with the demand.” Over the years, other notable names have stopped by to support the...

This New Orleans, LA, entrepreneur has his sights set on a hospitality takeover! When serial hospitality entrepreneur Larry Morrow and his mother, Lenora Chong, opened the doors to Morrows in 2018, it was all a part of the bigger vision to bring more Black-owned restaurants to the vibrant, history-rich city of New Orleans. Fast-forward to 2024, nearly six years later, Morrow and company have opened the doors to Morrow Steak, a second steakhouse located in the Crescent City, Blavity reports. The restaurant, which seats about 125 people, and is geared toward celebrating any type of special occasion, features a menu that is yet another nod to Morrow’s Korean background on his mom’s side with a blend of classic steakhouse fare and Asian-inspired dishes. From a tomahawk ribeye and wagyu steak to broiled snapper, marinated pork chops, and side dishes like lobster mac and cheese, Morrow’s Steak has a little something for everyone. Its vegan dishes like kung pao cauliflower allow Morrow to...

Hello Alice is continuing its commitment to serving underserved entrepreneurs. In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), Hello Alice has officially launched the next round of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s (BGE) Energizing Small Business grant program. The initiative offers $20,000 grants to central Maryland businesses to help them succeed and thrive, according to the Hello Alice website. No stranger to empowering local small businesses, the BGE Energizing Small Business grant deployed more than $2.5 million in grants to 129 small businesses in central Maryland in 2023. “When small businesses thrive, they become powerful economic engines, creating even more opportunities in their communities and we are so pleased to celebrate today’s grant recipients,” said BGE President and CEO Carim Khouzami in the 2023 grant announcement. “Since 2019, BGE has granted over $13 million to small businesses throughout Central Maryland. This is in addition to other small...

Shaquille O’Neal is taking his restaurant franchise talents to Nebraska. The former NBA superstar-turned-serial entrepreneur has announced that his fast-casual restaurant franchise, Big Chicken, will expand to the Omaha market, according to KETV Omaha. O’Neal plans to open two Big Chicken locations in Omaha, led by father-son duo and local entrepreneurs Tom and Zak Davis. “Our experience has provided us a perspective on Big Chicken that we feel fantastic about. We know that it is the right time to bring the quickly growing brand to Omaha,” said Tom, per KETV. “There are a lot of parallels for us with Big Chicken and its leadership team. We have a deep appreciation for running great restaurants, and Big Chicken’s team is equal to the match. We have been following the growth of Big Chicken for a while, and once we were finally able to try the menu, we decided to get serious about opening our own stores in Omaha.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Big Chicken...

In case you missed it, AFROTECH™ Executive is heading to New Jersey. If you’re unfamiliar with the event, previous stops included Seattle, WA; Washington, D.C.; Brooklyn, NY; and more. As the event heads to Newark, NJ, on June 28, attendees will have the opportunity to explore topics like practical AI applications, equitable resources for entrepreneurs, tech advancements, and innovative economies. In addition, the highly anticipated AFROTECH Executive Newark will allow attendees to hear from speakers like A ngela Rye, principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies and co-host of the Native Land Pod. Her fireside chat will focus on bridging the gap for an equitable community. The conversation, moderated by Black Tech Green Money host Will Lucas, will explore a world where opportunities and access are endless, ensuring that entrepreneurs who represent the community are equipped with the tools needed to be successful and can inspire others to build a more accessible, diverse, and thriving...

Theodora Lee is the first Black vineyard owner and wine producer in Mendocino County, CA. Lee’s introduction to wine began when she was 8 years old, while she was helping her grandfather on his cattle farm in Texas. By the 1980s, she had developed a personal interest in wine. ”My dad picked wild Muscadine grapes and made home brew,“ she told The Press Democrat. ”Given that Muscadine was my first introduction to wine, I found that sweet and syrupy wine nasty. I really had no taste for wine until I moved to California in the ’80s and learned about fine wine.“ Lee chose a path in law , working more than 36 years at the Littler Mendelson, P.C. law firm and splitting her time between Yorkville Highlands, CA; Oakland Hills, CA; and Dallas, TX. However, her passion for wine led her to add a new title to her resume: wine producer. “My first introduction to a grape farm was in Healdsburg, [CA], and specifically Dry Creek Valley,“ she said. “Walking that vineyard made me want to become a...